Is Protein Powder Good For You?

Gaining weight for skinny guys is a serious task. It takes time and effort.

While you need to start working out more, with a particular focus on your strength training exercises, you should never overlook the importance of nutrition and food. With a calorie surplus and a workout program, you will be able to gain weight by increasing your lean muscle mass.

You will also be able to give your body the macronutrients, as well as the micronutrients, and it needs to survive and stay healthy.

If you have taken a look at some guides, then you might have noticed a frequent recommendation for protein. You need just enough protein in your diet to support muscle growth.

Too little, and you will not be able to take full advantage of protein. If you eat too much, however, it may be harmful to your body.

For those who are struggling to reach the appropriate level of protein, a powder supplement can be used. There are some concerns that have been raised regarding protein powder supplements. We take a look at the popular question: is protein powder good for you?

The Different Types Of Protein Powder

To understand whether protein powder is good or bad for the body, we should start out by considering the types of protein powders on the market.

While there is a significant variety of options that you can choose from, two particular types tend to stand out. These include casein and whey protein powder.

The two are particularly popular among skinny guys who want to increase their weight. The way they work in the body does differ somewhat, however.

Whey protein powder offers a very immediate effect. You take this protein powder, often following a workout session, to assist in the repair process of muscles. This helps to improve the growth of muscle fibers during the recovery process. It also supports a faster recovery – which means muscles will not be as sore.

Whey protein powder is available in two different forms. The most popular is a concentrate, followed by an isolate.

Even though concentrates are more popular, particularly due to a lower price point, using a protein isolate offers a much more potent dose of this macronutrient. The majority of protein powders that use an isolated type would include a 90% protein rating.

The actual protein contained in a concentrated powder is generally significantly lower than 90%.

Casein protein powder, on the other hand, rather offers a slow-release mechanism. What this means is that the protein is not rapidly absorbed into your body as with whey protein powder.

This is why a lot of skinny guys tend to take a casein protein supplement at night – just before going to bed. Since the protein will be released into their bodies slowly, they can expect muscle growth to occur during the night while they are sleeping literally.

Other options that you will find on the market, in terms of protein powder types, include:

Some protein powders will contain this macronutrient from various sources. These are usually called mixed plant proteins. They will generally include protein from sources like quinoa, artichoke, flax seeds, chia seeds, alfalfa, pea, hemp, and brown rice.

Is Protein Powder Good Or Bad For Your Body?

Protein comes in different forms – but the goal behind these powders is the same. They help to increase the amount of protein that you obtain on a daily basis.

Additionally, some of these products also tend to contain additional ingredients. You will often find that protein powder will contain added BCAAs. This helps to increase the number of essential amino acids that your muscles will surely appreciate.

Even though protein powders have become such a popular option for bodybuilders, athletes, and even the regular skinny guy to rely on, there are some concerns that need to be addressed.

Is protein powder good for you – that is currently a particularly popular question that many skinny guys ask before they decide to invest in these products.

The short answer to the question is both yes and no. Protein powder can be used safely without suffering any potential risks or complications.

On the other hand, without being careful, you could end up causing more damage to your body than the benefits that the protein powder may offer you.

Protein powder delivers protein into your body. This is a molecule, classified as a macronutrient that every single cell that exists in your body depends on. This would, of course, include the cells that make up muscle tissue throughout your body.

When you participate in weight training, strength training, or activities that focus on muscle growth, then the protein content in these powder supplements will help you achieve faster growth in your lean muscle mass.

Additionally, protein also helps with recovering muscles and can also be useful when you participate in activities that enhance muscle endurance.

In terms of the safety concerns linked to protein powder – this generally comes into play when you are consuming too much of these supplements.

To gain excess muscle mass, you should first weigh yourself at the moment. You then need to calculate the ideal amount of protein to obtain on a daily basis – based on your current weight.

It is generally recommended to get between 1.2 grams and 1.7 grams of protein for every one kilogram of body weight.

Thus, calculate your weight in kilograms – then decide how much weight you want to gain. If you only want to gain a few pounds, then multiply your weight (in kilograms) by 1.2. If you wish to obtain a much more significant number of pounds, the multiply the kilogram value of your weight by 1.7.

When you eat less than 1.2 grams of protein per one kilogram bodyweight, you will only be able to maintain your current muscle mass.

Go too low, and you may end up losing some lean muscle mass. If you go over 1.7 grams of protein per one kilogram of body weight, then you may experience appropriate mass gain – but also suffer certain consequences.

The Dangers Of Too Much Protein

We have established that protein powder can be a good thing – but only if you ensure the total amount of protein you consume does not become too excessive. With too much protein in your body, you may be at risk of experiencing certain complications.

This is why it is so important to consider exactly how much protein you consume each day – especially if you are taking advantage of a protein powder supplement.

There are certain risks that we do need to discuss here – which come into play when you eat too much protein. Weight gain is considered one particular risk – but this is one that would rather be seen as an advantage for a skinny guy.

Some of the other potential risks that you are facing include:

There are, however, more serious concerns that have been identified too.

When you consume too much protein, you are at a higher risk of dehydration. Hydration is critical to the health of your entire body – especially if you are participating in intensive workouts.

If your body flushes out water and fluids too quickly, you could suffer from dehydration.

Another important risk is kidney damage. The kidneys act as your body’s filtration system and help to remove toxins out of your bloodstream. When you consume too much protein, it can cause problems with your kidneys.

With this in mind, it should be noted that there is not too much evidence that points to kidney damage in healthy individuals with no history of kidney-related problems. Those individuals who have existing problems with their kidneys, however, may experience a significant worsening of the condition.

Excessive protein consumption has also been associated with a possible increase in the risk of developing heart disease and certain cancers.

Conclusion

Protein needs to play an important part of your diet if you are looking to go from skinny to big.

When it comes to looking at the question is protein powder good for you, the concerns regarding these supplements should not be taken lightly. The good news is, these products are generally safe for most people.

The problem comes in when your daily dose of protein obtained from these powders is too much. In such a case, the excessive intake of protein can be damaging to your body.